Sunday, August 20, 2017

True Riches

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11, NKJV).

True riches are riches of heaven; it is what heaven bestows or gives. The above-cited Scripture makes a distinction between true riches and worldly wealth. It implies that if you have not been faithful with your earthly wealth, true riches of heaven will not be given to you. Below are some facts about true riches:

True riches are riches money cannot buy: Examples of true riches are the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the Christian, good health, ability to get prayers answered, gifts of the Spirit, talents and abilities, divine favor, honor that heaven bestows, eternal life, divine wisdom, ability to hear the voice of God, understanding of the Scriptures, long life, a good name, generational blessings, and the list goes on. True riches are blessings we cannot purchase with money.

True riches are divine revelation: It is having access to divine ideas and mysteries. Divine revelation is the difference between where you are now and where you want to be. Abraham became great because he kept on accessing the mind of God about his future. He had faith to believe God for a child at 99 years because of the things revealed to him (Genesis 15:1-6). Divine revelation is the trade secret of the individual Christian. The more revelation you have, the more the impact you will make.

True riches are generational blessings: Levi, third generation after Abraham, was said to be in the loins of Abraham, his great grandfather, when Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek. This deed of faith of Abraham qualified Levi to receive tithes as a priest (Hebrews 7:8-10).  Levi was blessed because of Abraham. True riches are generational; it is leaving a legacy of faith, righteousness and greatness for succeeding generations.

True riches are secure: Whatever heaven bestows, it is able to keep. Satan testified about Job, “Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?....” (Job 1:10). Heaven built a hedge around Job’s possessions. Satan could not touch Job’s health, possession and family, until heaven permitted it. Worldly wealth on the other hand can be easily lost; it can develop wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5).  In the US, it is often said that everyone is just one sickness away from bankruptcy.

True riches are heavenly rewards: These are rewards that transcend the terrestrial to the celestial. There is a celestial reward for every kingdom investment made in this terrestrial realm. For every soul won, for every kingdom program funded, for every disciple raised, there will be a heavenly reward. When we aim at heavenly rewards in all endeavors, earthly blessings will not elude us (Matthew 6:33). We are to focus on eternity while we live in history. Salvation is free, but getting rewards in heaven is costly.

CONCLUSION:  True riches according to our opening text are entrusted. You have to be found trustworthy to access true riches, and the key requirement is being faithful in money matters (Luke 16:10-12). Jesus wanted to give the rich young ruler true riches, but he was too attached to his worldly wealth that he lost a golden chance to lay hold on eternal blessings (Mark 10:17-22). How attached are you to worldly riches? How faithful are you with tithes and offerings? Have a blessed month!